METRO DIGEST

Free classes offered

YOUNGSTOWN — The North Star Patchwork Training Center located at Friends House Chapel, 192 Hazeltine, is having free classes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays through October.

Computer 101 training will be included that will teach basic application, functions and maintenance. Other classes available are quilting, making collector dolls, wall hangings, seasonal items and holiday decorations, home accessories, tote bags, corporate gifts, cultural crafts and folk art.

For more information, call the church from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and ask for the Rev. Lillie North.

Drive to help needy

YOUNGSTOWN — Protestant Family Service is conducting a financial campaign to help stock its food pantry and provide services to people in need in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties. PFS is a tax-exempt, nonprofit agency that has been in existence for 65 years. John Prokop, a volunteer PFS fundraiser, said the Youngstown Foundation will add 5 percent to contributions of $100 or more when the check is made payable to the foundation with Protestant Family Service on the check memo. Donations of $99 or less should be make payable to Protestant Family Service, 496 Glenwood Ave., Suite 115. Donations of in-kind gifts, such as gift cards and nonperishable items, are also accepted, said Prokop, who can be reached at (330) 726-1733.

Also, the Ron Haus Auto Group, with locations in Canfield, Austintown and Boardman, will contribute $100 to PFS for any auto purchased with a certificate available at these locations: Nemenz Food Stores in Boardman, Canfield, Youngstown, Poland and Struthers; Pizza Joe’s, Cornersburg; Bella Napoli Pizza in Canfield and Boardman; Denny’s in Boardman; Komara Jewelers in Canfield and Howland; iPrints in Boardman; Jim’s Carwash in Boardman; and PFS in Youngstown.

Police seek 2 robbers

YOUNGSTOWN — Police are looking for two men who robbed employees of the Grub Club, 3600 Southern Blvd., at gunpoint.

Police said two workers at the business were taking out the trash in preparation for closing Monday evening when two men walked up asking if they could ask the employees a question.

One of the men waited outside the business, while the other one went into the store with the employees, pulled out a gun and demanded cash. He was handed about $500 from a safe, and the two men ran down nearby Hilton Avenue. A digital recording of the robbery will be supplied to police.

Anti-bias bill passes

COLUMBUS — The Ohio House passed legislation Tuesday prohibiting discrimination by landlords and businesses against residents and employees based on their sexual orientation.

“This has nothing to do with gay marriage, and this is not special rights,” said Rep. Dan Stewart, a Democrat from the Columbus area. “These are the same rights that all Ohioans are afforded.” The bill heads to the Republican-controlled Ohio Senate, where it is not expected to pass.